While the main event at every Ramen Nagi visit is a slurpfest with their big bowls of ramen, live a little and add something different and delicious on your next visit. Leaf through the restaurant's menu and browse past the ramen, and find yourself that page displaying golden sticks served in a glass.
Have you tried these Curry Spring Rolls? This appetizer or side order is actually another noodle dish, sneakily rolled and wrapped in rice paper and fried until golden brown. When it's served on your table, it looks like plain ol' lumpia, down to the regular tomato ketchup that's served alongside it for dipping. But deep inside, it packs very unique things, the flavors surprisingly reminding you of an Indian snack: samosa.
It's a little peculiar that this fried spring roll dish is found on the menu of a Japanese restaurant, as it is more Chinese or Filipino looking than anything. But then again, Japan has had its flavorful introduction of Chinese cuisine, and they've adapted these snacks and call theirs harumaki. So here in Nagi, theirs is stuffed with a mixture of ground pork, thinly sliced vegetables, and vermicelli noodles. Curry ties everything together, the mild spice punctuating each and every bite.
It's a little Vietnamese with the thin glass noodles, and the curry powder gives you pleasant spice-ful (but not spicy-hot) flavors. Crunchy on the outside, soft and flavorful on the inside. These curry spring rolls are perfect already as is, which leaves me questioning the need for ketchup to be served with it. But hey, we grew up having ketchup with everything and our fondness for condiments and sauces is relentless. This could be your new curry lumpia favorite with all the ketchup dipping, if you please.
The Dish: Curry Spring Rolls (P170)
Where to Find it: Ramen Nagi
Visit Ramen Nagi at their following outlets: SM Aura, Mall of Asia, SM North EDSA, Robinsons Magnolia, Robinsos Ermita, Greenbelt, U.P. Town Center, and Podium Mall. Like Ramen Nagi in Facebook (/RamenNagiManila) and follow on Instagram (@ramennagimanila). #FavoriteRamen
